HUMANITARIAN TRIPS to NICARAGUA
Our 5th consecutive year in Nicaragua, 25 years with our Morrison / Amigos group of volunteers. [Veins and Lymphatics 2015; 4:4851]
A phlebo-lymphology humanitarian trip to Matagalpa, Nicaragua https://www.academia.edu/27533997/A_phlebo-lymphology_humanitarian_trip_to_Matagalpa_Nicaragua?s=t via @academia
Each year, Nick Morrison MD and Terri Morrison RN as co-founders of Morrison Vein Institute and with our former multidisciplinary group of Doctors, Nurses, Sonographers, and a multitude of volunteers founded Amigos de Salud, Inc. a 501C3 charity without any paid administrators. We have volunteered in Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. Our numbers grew to a 100 volunteers one year, and then we figured out to split off and multiply the good we could do. The last 5 years, we have had the benefit of the Big Hearts of The Fara Foundation of Austin Texas/ Nicaragua who help us coordinate our trips and do everything they can with their donors and their own money to help us take care of the poor there for free. They pre-screen thousands of patients for us to find the patients with the worst vein disease, leg ulcers, venous malformations so that we can consult and treat 800- 900 patients in 6.5 days. Our friends the colorectal surgeon and his wife, a doctor of Audiology Drs. Venkatesh came a few weeks before us so the staff wouldn’t be overwhelmed.Then, the Fara Foundation pays local doctors to follow up caring for our patients with the teaching we started and the supplies we can leave them from our generous donors and from all the Doctors, Nurses and Sonographers we bring from around the world. This year we were represented by Italy, Australia, Argentina, Ireland and USA docs and teams from several states. Many docs bring their mature teens to help with translation and all kinds of physical labor and venous assistant maneuvers.
Compudiagnostics has provided our diagnostic and treatment ultrasound for 20 years as well as supporting us in kind on these volunteer trips. Our Morrison Vein and Compudiagnostics staff have taken turns going to make this all possible as well as months of collections from our donors to packing for weeks on end… In the following weeks I will be thanking all our donors in our Morrison Vein facebook page! I just couldn’t wait to share and thank everyone! We are so grateful.
Fox 10 Interview of Dr Morrison
Fox 10 was at our office interviewing Dr Morrison and a patient of ours about CoolTouch Laser to treat veins. Thanks to TV and social media, patients can learn about new therapies to treat their veins.
In the last 2 years, the FDA has approved a New Foam called Varisolve ( Varithena) for treating venous insufficiency, in other words a way to treat or close the leaking, saphenous veins that used to be stripped out! This isn’t used for the surface, cosmetic, skin veins that we can see. This replaces therapies like laser or radio frequency ablation or MOCA, Clarivein type procedures.
The other approved last November is VenaSeal, Closure by Medtronic. ( medtronicendovenous.com) This procedure is the only non thermal, non- tumescent, non-sclerosant procedure that uses a proprietary adhesive delivered by a doctor using their kit to deliver in the saphenous vein, to close the veins with faulty valves. Patients who fear anesthetic, heat, pain etc will prefer this method and if this is the only treatment needed, the patient won’t need compression stockings that day and may return to work or play.
COME SEE US AT MORRISON VEIN INSTITUTE TO EVALUATE YOUR VEINS: 4807758460 morrisonveinpromo@gmail.com or morrisonveininstitute@yahoo.com
Do I have Varicose Veins or Vein Disease?
Venous Insufficiency (VI) can be a life-altering medical condition and should be evaluated by a specialist. VI occurs when blood pools in the veins of your legs, making it difficult for the blood to return to your heart for recirculation.
It is estimated that 40 percent of people in the United States (often unknowingly) suffer from chronic venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency that presents itself as spider veins or varicose veins may be a sign of more significant underlying venous disease.
Venous insufficiency can be the result of heredity, age, gender, weight, history of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots), pregnancy, inactivity or occupations that require prolonged sitting or standing. In addition to the visual signs, the symptoms of vein disease include: leg pain, aching, or cramping, fatigued or heavy-feeling legs, itching/burning, swollen ankles, restless legs, and—in severe cases—ulcers.
Please use this tool to help you decide whether a medical assessment by a physician who specializes in the treatment of venous insufficiency would benefit you.
Please check as many of the following boxes as appropriate:
1. At the end of the day, do your ankles or legs usually swell?
2. Have you noticed any skin discoloration around your ankles?
3. Do you have ulcers or open wounds near your ankles that just don’t seem to heal?
4. Have you noticed bulging or knotty veins in and around your private areas (buttocks, genitals)?
None of these apply to me.
Compression Helps Golfer’s Legs
Recent randomized trial in Ferrara, Italy, by Sergio Gianesini MD, et all, Int. Nat. Angiology March 2016 studied forty men and women golfers with the median age of 48 years old, golfing for 18 holes and divided them in groups with no compression, 18 mmHG compression ( our light weight compression in the US.), and 23 mmHg of compression ( our Class 2 Medical sock or stocking. A standard venous ultrasound, echo color doppler was used and water testing called Plethysmography. Also questionnaires, for assessments of fatigue before and after were used.
Those participants who had no compression reported and with testing proved that they had an increase in leg volume of at least 5%, ie:swelling and fatigue. The 18 mmHg only reduced the volume by 1% but the 23mmHg stockings reduced the leg volume by 4% and significantly reduced fatigue and tiredness at the end of 18 holes.
This is only one of hundreds of new studies around the world of “Phlebology = Vein Care” that will finally encourage athletes of all ages, sizes, shapes to use compression socks for healthier legs, help our venous circulation and improve our recovery times between our sports activities, and our daily lives. Medical compression stockings properly fitted can prevent even major life events like deep vein thrombosis ( blood clots) and pulmonary embolism, leg ulcers and minor symptoms too.
Call today 480-775-8460 @Morrison Vein Institute
HELP FOR UNSIGHTLY VEINS
Saying that varicose veins are unsightly is lending a gentle term to a condition that most of us would describe more vividly: embarrassing, excruciating, and just plain ugly. Even so, many women and men have endured the bulging veins, heavy cramping, restless legs, and even limited activities, blood clots and sores rather endure treatments that they thought were “too painful, too restrictive, and maybe would not work anyway.”
20 years ago we started Morrison Vein Institute, called Vein and Laser Center of Arizona at that time. We quickly eliminated the need for vein stripping with in-office minimally invasive procedures like ligations, injections and micro procedures to remove large veins. Phlebology has since then become a specialty, recognized by the AMA and we have tried to organize as a specialty and teach ourselves and patients about the inherited disease called venous insufficiency.
There is good news for the 40 million people (27 million of them women) whom the National Health Institute says has a problem with varicose veins. this disease causes problems when the valves inside the veins malfunction and gravity forces blood to pool in the vein rather than travel on to the heart. This back flow and pooling of blood can lead to itching, swelling, achiness, skin color changes, constant pain or even sores or blood clots. Now, we have an easy way to diagnose vein disease in each patient and give them a specific treatment plan of veins to be treated and how.
We have many treatments to offer patients, even 2 new FDA treatments in the last 2 years: Varithena, FDA Approved Foam and the VenaSeal Closure system using the “new Glue” as many patients recognize it on the internet. Restrictive insurance plans don’t like to recognize new proven technologies. Before Medicare or insurance companies authorize some procedures, they put restrictive clauses on treatment options: wearing compression stockings and conservative therapies for 3 months prior to therapy. Many of our patients have opted out of Medicare and insurance plans and choose a payment plan option where we can start right away! Many other treatment options can be found on our website @morrisonvein.com
Call today 480-775-8460 / 480-860-6455 and get started on your road to healthy, happy legs again. Come in for a screening and then a diagnostic ultrasound, so you know where you stand. We will teach you about your veins, measure your legs for “New and Improved” compression stockings or athletic compression socks to wear while you wait or decide what to do. http://www.morrisonvein.com Questions to info@morrisonvein.com or morrisonveininstitute.com
When Doctors Have Time to Care — Doctors Coaching Doctors – Helane Fronek, MD Coaching and Consulting
If you’ve visited a doctor recently, it’s likely that you’ve felt unseen and unheard. Sadly, “healthcare” is often dictated more by corporate requirements and a focus on the bottom line than by creating a healing interaction between doctors and patients. Doctors are asked to see patients in such short visits that true connection and relationship […]
Genetics Plays a Role in Varicose Veins
In the last 20 years, various scientific Phlebology and Surgical publications have scientifically proven that genetics plays a part in chronic venous disease, varicose veins, spider vein formation over time as men and women age. In the following abstract, we can look forward to full genome studies to predict more accurately who will get vein disease based on genetics and therefore learn how to slow down the process with lifestyle, proper diagnosis, treatment modalities, and healthy vein practices including compression stockings, exercise, leg elevation and calf muscle pump activation, and FDA approved medicines. Annual maintenance has helped our existing patients for 20 years.
Semin Vasc Surg. 2013 Mar;26(1):2-13. doi:10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2013.04.003.Genomics of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency. Markovic JN1, Shortell CK. Abstract
Recent sequencing of the human genome has opened up new areas of investigation for genetic aberrations responsible for the pathogenesis of many human diseases. To date, there have been no studies that have investigated the entire human genome for the genetic underpinnings of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Utilizing Gene Chip Arrays we analyzed the relative expression levels of more than 47,000 transcripts and variants and approximately 38,500 well-characterized genes from each of 20 patients (N (CVI)=10; N (Control Group)=10). Relative gene expression profiles significantly differed between patients with CVI and patients unaffected by CVI. Regulatory genes of mediators of the inflammatory reaction and collagen production were up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively in CVI patients. DNA microarray analysis also showed that relative gene expression of multiple genes which function remains to be elucidated was significantly different in CVI patients. Fundamental advancements in our knowledge of the human genome and understanding of the genetic basis of CVI represents an opportunity to develop new diagnostic, prognostic, preventive and therapeutic modalities in the management of CVI.
Come in for a free consult to see a video and learn about diagnosis with specific venous ultrasound techniques, healthy vein practices while you wait for treatments, compression stockings, and new FDA vein treatments: 480775-8460 @morrisonvein.com
More than leg veins can be trouble
Klippel-Trenaunay A rare and genetic syndrome that is often the most severe manifestations of varicose vein disease. The syndrome is a vascular disorder that consists of abnormalities in the venous system, lymphatic system, and arterial systems. This disorder often manifests itself in the form of varicose veins, arterio-venous malformations (AVMs), lymphedema, port-wine stains and eventually limb hypertrophy (enlargement of the involved extremity). Treatments may be an option for patients after a specific workup. Face veins and hand veins can be more than cosmetic; you want a vein care specialist called a phlebologist with lots of experience to care for you. Call us for a vein screening and then a workup for a specially designed treatment plan. 480-775-8460. #Morrisonvein www.morrisonvein.com
Why do you want an “out of network” Doctor or private pay Doctor as a choice in healthcare?
Maybe a second opinion is the answer?
Patients treatment outcomes, successful vein treatments, depend on an accurate diagnosis, identification of potential treatment options, shared decision making with the patient in choosing the most appropriate option when choices are available, understanding of, and compliance with, treatment by the patient, and follow-up and maintenance post treatment. Outcomes depend on understanding of the condition and treatment options by the patient as well as by having the physician understand the values and preferences of the patient.
This leads to the “right” treatments and expectations for both the patient and the physician. These all require a physician / patient relationship of trust.
In today’s healthcare environment both patients and doctors can be disempowered by the industrialization of medicine with administrators and insurance companies dictating the terms of treatment and employment.
Teaming together with our patients to find alternatives, we have a chance to influence the evolution of our healthcare.
Come talk to us at Morrison Vein Institute.
20 years dedicated to vein treatments!
Chronic Venous Insufficiency equals Vein disease
“CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY (CVI) is one of the most common vascular diseases in the developed world and is a major contributor to psychosocial morbidity.” And one of the worst outcomes of venous disease is leg ulcers, esp for patients over 65- up to 4% of the population! Compression bandaging is the most recognized therapy but due to lack of education of the healthcare professionals regarding application and other treatment modalities, lack of patient funds, poor insurance reimbursement for stockings and bandaging- patients suffer for at least a year or up to 10 years needlessly.
Ross K Smith and Jonathan Golledge wrote a paper ( Phlebology 2014 Vol 29 (9) 570-579) on a review of circulatory markers in CVI and their abstract and paper to follow shows providers could evaluate patients levels of estradiol, homocysteine and vascular growth factors that were most consistently associated with primary chronic venous insufficiency.
Circulatory markers studies can improve pathogenic understanding, increase prognostic understanding and enhance diagnostic and treatment modalities.
Early recognition of vein disease with comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and in-office minimally invasive vein treatments: revolutionary glue ablations, radiofrequency or laser ablations and ultrasound guided chemical ablations of ” faulty valve- diseased” saphenous veins, accessory veins, pudendal veins, and even pelvic vein disorders can prevent the road to leg ulcers, DVTs, and varicose vein disease disorders.
Schedule a vein screening and learn about vein disease from Morrison Vein Institute.
We have been dedicated to vein disease for 20 years.
